Chapter 272 - Chapter 272:272. Going to Liang Country

Chapter 272:272. Going to Liang Country

Translator: 549690339

The day after receiving the letter from Gu Ling, Su Liang went to the Lin family again to check the pulse of her two elder sisters-in-law, and after that, Lin Shuzhi invited her to play a game of chess.

“Master, I’m not good at chess, but someone else is very good at it,” Su Liang said.

Lin Shuzhi sighed slightly while setting up the chess pieces Su Liang had sent him in the previous days, “I remember inviting that someone to play chess several times last year when I met him in the academy, but he always found excuses to refuse.”

Su Liang chuckled softly, “He was afraid that you would find out his chess skills were not right.”

Upon starting the game, Su Liang lost quickly as expected.

Seeing that Su Liang didn’t seem very interested, Lin Shuzhi shook his head and said, “Never mind, when he comes back, I must challenge him.”

Su Liang nodded, “I bet you’ll win, Master. They should be getting close to the capital of Liang Country.”

“I’ve never been there; it is said that the imperial palace of Liang Country is built against the mountains, magnificent and grand. I must go and see for myself at some point,” Lin Shuzhi said.

Just as Su Liang was about to say she wanted to see it too, the voice of Ren Dong came from outside the door, “Master, His Majesty orders you to enter the palace immediately.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Shuzhi furrowed his brows. After previous events, even though he could see that Duanmu Yi treated Su Liang fairly leniently, he still didn’t like to deal with the Royal Family deep down.

Su Liang got up, picked up the cloak nearby, “Master, don’t worry, perhaps some high-ranking person is not well due to the recent cold weather. I have to go now.”

Ren Dong said that the person who had delivered the oral decree had already returned to the palace without mentioning the reason.

Su Liang asked Ren Dong to return home, but she still insisted on accompanying Su Liang to the entrance of the palace and watched her enter alone.

When she met Duanmu Yi, two people looking travel-worn were also present. Both were exceedingly young with deeply chiseled features, a man and a woman, which made Su Liang think of the guards Situ Xie brought when he visited last time.

“These two are messengers sent by the King of Yue from Liang Country,”

Duanmu Yi said. “Emperor Liang has contracted a strange disease, and the Imperial Physicians are helpless. The King of Yue has sent people to ask you to go to Liang Country.”

Su Liang hesitated for a moment and then respectfully said, “This humble servant is young and inexperienced, I’m afraid I cannot shoulder such an important responsibility.”

In fact, Su Liang was somewhat suspicious at this moment. Was Situ Xie really asking her to go to Liang Country to treat the secret son of the emperor? Or were there other intentions behind it? Didn’t these two people meet Gu Ling’s group on the road?

The woman among the messengers opened her mouth, introducing herself as Gui Yue, “Doctor Su is too modest. His Highness the King of Yue said that as long as Doctor Su can cure the Emperor, you can name any condition.”

Su Liang looked at Duanmu Yi, who sighed and said, “You have come a long way for the sake of Emperor Liang’s health. If I don’t let Doctor Su go, I would indeed be too unkind. Both of you can rest for a while, and I will talk to Doctor Su later.”

After someone invited the Gui siblings out, only Duanmu Yi and Su Liang were left. Su Liang then asked, “Didn’t they meet with Marquis Chang Xin on the way?”

Duanmu Yi snorted lightly, “You really think about Gu Ling all the time.”

Su Liang smiled awkwardly. But she felt weird in her heart. Was Duanmu Yi really intending to let her go to Liang Country?

“They said they didn’t know about Marquis Chang Xin going to Liang Country, and they didn’t meet him, as they rushed day and night,” Duanmu Yi answered Su Liang’s question.

Su Liang nodded. It was indeed possible.

“Are you sure they were sent by King Yue?” Su Liang asked.

Duanmu Yi nodded, “They brought the King of Yue’s handwritten letter and token. ”

“Then, Your Majesty’s intention is…” Su Liang felt if Duanmu Yi really let her go, there must be another purpose.

As expected, Duanmu Yi explained, “There was a master of machines named Mu in the past dynasty. It is said that before he died, he left a book of machine drawings, which contained war chariots and many large weapons using machine techniques. Over the years, the three countries have been searching for the descendants of the Mu family. Recently, I received news that the descendants of the Mu family have entered the service of the King of Liang.”

Su Liang subconsciously asked, “Is the news reliable?” Then quickly added,

“Your Majesty, I am not doubting your word, it was just a casual question.

Please forgive me.”

Duanmu Yi shook his head, “No offense taken. The news is trustworthy.”

With that, Su Liang suspected that there must be spies planted by Duanmu Yi around the royal family of Liang Country or Situ Xie. And this was quite normal.

At the same time, Su Liang guessed what Duanmu Yi wanted her to do in Liang Country.

“The journey is long and cold. I should have refused and not let you go to Liang

Country. But that Mechanism Map is extremely important. Even if Qian Country doesn’t get it, we absolutely cannot let Liang or Yin Country obtain and create it!” Duanmu Yi’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Do you understand my meaning?

Su Liang nodded, “Your servant understands.” The so-called cooperation between countries is only temporary and superficial, while the inherent hostility exists until the “life and death” situation is resolved.

“When you go to Liang Country, get rid of the descendant of Mu Family, and bring the Mechanism Map back.” Duanmu Yi’s eyes were deep, “For this matter, I can’t think of anyone more suitable than you! Don’t disappoint me! Bring Ren

Dong with you and if necessary, ask Marquis Chang Xin for help.”

Su Liang nodded, then frowned, “If anything goes wrong with such an important thing, King Yue will surely find out soon. I’m worried that it will be difficult to escape after getting hold of it.” She was thinking about the Lin Family Brothers. If it were just her and Gu Ling, it wouldn’t be difficult to leave after stealing the treasure, but quite a few people from Qian Country would be going openly.

“I believe you will find a way.” Duanmu Yi smiled.

Su Liang: …should she be moved by Duanmu Yi’s trust in her?

For both personal and public reasons, Su Liang would not refuse this task. The ultimate unification of the world cannot be controlled by her. But she was from Qian Country and hoped that in the end, Qian Country would be the one to unify the world.

After taking on the secret mission, Su Liang took the opportunity to obtain some precious royal medicine from Duanmu Yi.

And the departure date was tomorrow.

Su Liang left the palace with Ren Dong and returned home.

Nian Jincheng and Yang Yu were waiting for Su Liang here to discuss the arrangements for inviting guests to the wedding.

“Did the emperor have any issues when he summoned you?” Nian Jincheng asked as soon as he saw Su Liang.

Su Liang removed her cloak, which Ren Dong took, and then sat down, nodding, “Yes, there was a matter.”

Yang Yu’s expression changed slightly, “What happened now?”

Su Liang smiled, “Don’t worry. It’s a good thing. My wish can be fulfilled now.”

Upon hearing this, Nian Jincheng’s face lit up with joy, “Has the emperor granted your marriage to Gu Ling? That’s great!”

“Is it true?” Yang Yu also became happy, “Why is it so sudden?”

Su Liang rubbed her forehead, “Stop it! You two are getting married, and don’t focus on me. I don’t want to get married, marrying Gu Ling is not my wish. Besides, why would the emperor grant our marriage for no reason?” Nian Jincheng frowned, “Then what is it?”

Su Liang’s lips curled up slightly, “I can go to Liang Country to see snow.” Both Nian Jincheng and Yang Yu were speechless.

When they learned that Emperor Liang had contracted a strange disease and King Yue had sent for Su Liang to treat it, Yang Yu couldn’t help but worry, “What if you can’t cure it? What if you go there and he dies? Will they blame you? Could it be that King Yue is trying to lure you there to kill you?”

“Not likely. At this time of year, Liang Country won’t do anything to provoke war.” Su Liang shook her head. The weather was too cold, and fighting in the north would be very disadvantageous to Liang Country.

“How could the emperor agree? Did Liang Country give any unbelievable benefits?” Yang Yu wondered.

Su Liang nodded, “Almost. However, it’s not that they offered benefits, but the emperor wants me to get them myself.”

About the descendants of the Mu Family and the Mechanism Map, Su Liang briefly told Nian Jincheng and Yang Yu, only to find out that the two of them already knew about the Mu Family, and only Su Liang had just heard about it today. Surprisingly, even Nian Jincheng knew that the Royal Family had been secretly searching for the descendants of the Mu Family.

“Such an important matter, and only you are going alone? It’s too dangerous.” Yang Yu became more worried when she learned the truth.

“Many people don’t necessarily facilitate things well, especially those that shouldn’t be known to others.” Su Liang said, “Besides, Gu Ling is there. I’ll travel faster than anyone else, and when I arrive, Gu Ling will certainly still be in Liang Country. The emperor knows his strength and wants us to work together.”

From this incident, it’s clear that Duanmu Yi didn’t prioritize the matter of “splitting up Su Liang and Gu Ling” before Qian Country’s interests. In other words, Duanmu Yi was very skeptical about the so-called omen of the heavens.

“The only problem is…” Su Liang sighed deeply.

Nian Jincheng and Yang Yu both looked at her, curious about the issue. Then they heard Su Liang say, “I won’t be able to drink at your wedding.”

Nian Jincheng sighed, “It’s a pity that you and Aling won’t be there, but the important matter must be addressed.”

Yang Yu spoke at the same time, “It’s simple, we’ll get married again next year!”

Nian Jincheng held his forehead, “Xiaoyu, don’t push it. We can still get married without them.”

Yang Yu countered, “Is Gu Ling not your best friend?”

Nian Jincheng shook his head, “He doesn’t have to be.”

Yang Yu smiled lightly, “But Su Liang is the most important person to me. How can we get married without her there?”

Nian Jincheng looked at Su Liang, waiting for her to say something.

Su Liang held Yang Yu’s hand, “Don’t delay the wedding anymore, lest things change. Don’t you want to live together openly? It’s so cold, it’s warmer to sleep together.”

Nian Jincheng coughed lightly, “That’s true. You and Aling can do the same in

Liang Country, where it’s cold.”

Su Liang snorted, “I’m helping you, think before you speak.”

Nian Jincheng’s expression became serious, “You’re right about everything.”

“Old Master Qin is the mediator for the wedding. At that time, please invite Qin Family, Lin Family, Xing Family, and Wan Family to the wedding. Xueqing will be with you.” Su Liang said to Yang Yu, “You two should get married and live

together sooner so that I can rest assured when I am away.”

“All right, then.” Yang Yu sighed, “That’s the only way.”

Yang Yu prepared luggage for Su Liang, and in the end, they brought a large box filled with thick clothes and precious silver fox cloak.

Su Liang only picked out two, “This time I need to ride on horseback, and it will be inconvenient to carry too many things.”

“It’s too hard.” Yang Yu was very concerned about Su Liang. Why was it so difficult for her to live a peaceful and leisurely life?

Nian Jincheng said this was called ‘more work for the capable’, and Yang Yu pinched him a few times, telling him to shut up.

In the afternoon, Su Liang went to say goodbye to Lin Shuzhi. Lin Shuzhi was also somewhat worried, but he figured as long as Su Liang could safely reach her destination and meet up with Gu Ling, everything would be fine.

“Master, don’t worry. Aling and I will definitely bring both elder brothers back safely.” Su Liang told Lin Shuzhi.

Lin Shuzhi shook his head, “All of you must come back safely. If you encounter any problems, communicate in time and cooperate.”

As it happened, Lin Family members were sending letters to Xuanbei City, so Su Liang could help deliver them.

Su Liang went to Marquis Zhong Xin’s mansion again, took the letters from Xing Family to Xing Ji, and also the letters from Qi Yan to his father and younger brother.

In the evening, Wan Hui brought Zhengzheng to see Su Liang off.

“This is a gift for Aunt and Uncle Ning.” Zhengzheng held a delicate box up to Su Liang.

Su Liang opened it, and inside were a pair of ink jade pendants shaped like teardrops of water.

Wan Hui smiled, saying that the Wan Family had just obtained them recently.

“This one is for Aunt, and this one is for Uncle Ning!” Zhengzheng pointed with her little hand, “Is Aunt going to Liang Country? Is Uncle Ning in Liang Country?”

Wan Hui sighed lightly, but Su Liang nodded, “Perhaps he is. If I see him, I will give it to him.”

Zhengzheng nodded happily, “Definitely!”

After Wan Hui and Zhengzheng left, Su Liang put the two jade pendants into the little rabbit purse, planning to give one to Gu Ling when she arrived in Liang Country.

No words were exchanged through the night.

Early the next morning, Su Liang got up and pushed open the window. A cold wind blew into her face, and the ground outside was white. At first, she thought frost had fallen, but later realized that it had snowed.

The first snow of the capital didn’t fall heavily, with only a thin layer of snow on the ground and snowflakes swirling in the wind.

Situ Xie had sent a brother and sister, named Gui Yue and Gui Xiang, who were waiting for Su Liang outside the Su Mansion early in the morning.

After Su Liang and Ren Dong finished their breakfast, packed up and prepared to set out, Xing Yusheng and Lin Xueqing came to see them off.

As soon as Lin Xueqing learned that Su Liang was going away, she hurried to Huguo Temple to ask for a Safety Amulet for her.

Su Liang accepted it and put it in her purse, promising Lin Xueqing that she would not let the Safety Amulet leave her side.

Duanmu Chen sent Chang’an to give Su Liang a dagger, saying it was for self-defense.

Su Liang already had a dagger, but she suspected that Duanmu Chen had put a letter for her in the sheath, so she accepted it without opening it in front of others.

As the pedestrians on the street chattered, Su Liang and her party of four rode tnelr norses ana walKec1 towarcls tne City gate.

Sitting in the Tea House, Duanmu Chen, holding a cup of warm tea, looked back at Chang’an who entered the door, and then looked outside, no longer able to see Su Liang’s figure.

“Master, Su Liang accepted the dagger.” Chang’an said.

Duanmu Chen put down his teacup, “Hmm.”

“It’s freezing cold, and Su Liang is working so hard.” Chang’an sighed.

“For her, it’s nothing,” Duanmu Chen shook his head. He hoped the Qian royal family would get the Mechanism Map, but he didn’t want Su Liang to leave the capital for so long. Since his return to the capital from Bei’an County last year, Duanmu Chen had clearly understood that at least half of the credit for his current achievements should be attributed to Su Liang. He didn’t want Su Liang to have an accident.

“I wonder if Su Liang can return before the New Year. Anyway, once she gets to Liang Country and sees Marquis Chang Xin, she should be very happy.”, said Chang’an.

Duanmu Chen snorted, “Of course. I’ve never seen her be so enthusiastic about anyone else.”

“Maybe by the time they return from Liang Country, Marquis Chang Xin will have fallen in love with Su Liang!” Chang’an said.

Duanmu Chen’s tone was gloomy, “Let’s just hope they can all return safely first..”